Instant Barley

[WildWolf]

I wanted to see if my bunnies liked grain, so I gathered all the grain in the house and came up with oats, Quaker instant barely, and wheat. I followed trinity's gain mix of 6 parts oats, 1 part everything else. So far, they have eaten all of the 1/2 cup I give them (I have 2 does). So, if the instant barley had no ill effects, I guess any "instant grain" would be OK. Of course, it can't have any spices/additives/ect... has anyone else fed instant grain? I have to check the prices, but it might be cheaper, or at least easier, to get instant grain from the store.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I wanted to see if my bunnies liked grain, so I gathered all the grain in the house and came up with oats, Quaker instant barely, and wheat. I followed trinity's gain mix of 6 parts oats, 1 part everything else. So far, they have eaten all of the 1/2 cup I give them (I have 2 does). So, if the instant barley had no ill effects, I guess any "instant grain" would be OK. Of course, it can't have any spices/additives/ect... has anyone else fed instant grain? I have to check the prices, but it might be cheaper, or at least easier, to get instant grain from the store.

Instant grain of any kind is much more expensive and has less of the fiber effect that rolled or whole grains have. It won't hurt anything, but will likely cost more and not work as well in the long run. 50lb sacks of whole grains are about $12 - $15 here. Just something to consider...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I prefer to feed grains in their raw, uncooked state in the belief that they retain more nutrient value, and I know they have more fiber, since they are not hulled. But I don't think "Instant" grains would have any adverse effects. Buying your grains from a feed store will be cheaper than the grocery store.

Below is text copied from this link which explains the difference in processing:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/52433 ... ular-oats/

The hulled oats, called oat groats, can be processed in a number of ways for human consumption. If they're cut into coarse pieces, like cracked wheat, they're called "steel-cut" oats, which the Scots prefer for their porridge. If the groats are steamed first, they can be pressed between heavy rollers to make the familiar round flakes of oatmeal. Smaller quick-cooking oats are made by rolling steel-cut oats. Instant oats are made the same way; however, they're steamed longer and rolled thinner.

 

[WildWolf]

Oh, I didn't realize it was more expensive. Where I live, it's hard to get things like hay and grain (we have to drive more than 45min or an hour, and cut the hay ourselves) so I'm always searching for ways to get that stuff easily.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm always searching for ways to get that stuff easily.

When I started feeding grains, I raided our food storage buckets! :lol: Human grade products are always more expensive than animal grade.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Oh, I didn't realize it was more expensive. Where I live, it's hard to get things like hay and grain (we have to drive more than 45min or an hour, and cut the hay ourselves) so I'm always searching for ways to get that stuff easily.

The instant stuff is like $2-3 per lb, while the whole grain is closer to $.30 per lb from a feed store...

 

[skysthelimit]

They have instant barley? What do you do with that?

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

They have instant barley? What do you do with that?

To make soups, stews ect.

 

[trinityoaks]

Sky, people use it as a hot cereal, similar to oatmeal. I prefer the pearled barley (whole barley with the hull removed). It's especially good in soups, especially a good vegetable beef soup.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I LOVE pearled barley in soups and stews! That and wild rice!